Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, addresses the disclosure of a victim's identity in certain criminal cases.([vakilsearch.com][1])
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### 📜 Section 72: Disclosure of Identity of Victim of Certain Offences
#### **Subsection (1): General Prohibition**
It is prohibited to print or publish the name or any matter that may reveal the identity of a person against whom an offence under Sections 64 to 71 is alleged or found to have been committed. Violating this provision can result in imprisonment for up to two years and a fine. ([thebharatiyanyayasanhita.in][2], [vakilsearch.com][1])
#### **Subsection (2): Exceptions to the Prohibition**
The prohibition does not apply in the following cases:
* **(a)** Publication under the order of the officer-in-charge of the police station or the investigating officer acting in good faith for the purposes of the investigation.([bnsbareact.org][3])
* **(b)** Publication with the written authorization of the victim.([taxguru.in][4])
* **(c)** Where the victim is deceased, a child, or of unsound mind, publication with the written authorization of the next of kin. However, such authorization must be given to the chairman or secretary of a recognized welfare institution or organization. ([lawfyi.io][5], [bnsbareact.org][6])
#### **Subsection (3): Publication of Court Proceedings**
Printing or publishing any matter related to court proceedings concerning an offence referred to in Section 72 without the prior permission of the court is prohibited. Violating this provision can result in imprisonment for up to two years and a fine. However, publishing judgments of the High Court or Supreme Court does not constitute an offence under this section. ([taxguru.in][4], [vakilsearch.com][1], [bns2023.indilegalonline.com][7])
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This section aims to protect the privacy and dignity of victims in sensitive cases, such as sexual offences and crimes against minors, by restricting unauthorized disclosure of their identities.([vakilsearch.com][1])
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